The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FLIGHT AND THE PURSUIT 13 the threshold, one observed to the other, “‘ We’d better not say at fust that we’re constables, Bill.’’ ‘“ Constables! — are you constables? ” cried Page, darting forward in spite of his bruises. Then, without waiting for an answer, he cxclaimed, ‘‘ Because 1f you are, I can guess your errand and can give you some information.”’ ‘“ Well — don’t speak so loud about it, sir, if you please,”’ erowled one of the men; ‘‘’cos vy, d’ye see, when once it gets known in a large place of this kind that there’s peace- officers on the scent the indiwidual wanted finds a many ways of escaping.”’ “Come along with me, my friends — one moment — and I shall be ready,’’ said Page, sinking his voice to a whisper though speaking hurriedly; and he conducted them into the commercial room. Having rung the bell and ordered his boots, — for it will be remembered that he had betaken himself to the luxury of slippers on his arrival, — he observed in a hasty tone of interrogatory to the officers, “‘The Aylesbury business—eh?’’ “ Just so,’’? was the equally laconic reply; and the man who gave it pulled out a printed paper offering a hundred pounds’ reward for the apprehension of Sir Richard Stam- ford. “ One glance at it, if you please!’ cried Page, snatching the bill out of his hand. Then rapidly casting his eyes over the description given of the baronet’s person, he continued, speaking in quick, jerking, and disjointed sentences, ‘‘ Ah! I thought I was right —I knew I couldn’t be mistaken! Tall — weli-formed — rather stout — walks very upright — imposing gait— commanding mien — dark auburn hair — handsome countenance — blue eyes — rather florid com- plexion — fine teeth. That’s it — the baronet to a tittle! But here’s the Boots.”’ i With these words Mr. Page returned the bill to the con- stable and seized his boots from the hands of the hotel functionary named; then, imperiously signalling that indi- vidual to leave the room, he hastily equipped himself for the purpose of accompanying the officers. ‘It we happen to meet the landlord in the passage, my friends,’ he observed in a rapid tone, ‘‘ we won’t let him know who you are or what you want, because I have seen enough to convince me that he is favourably inclined toward CONnniclooolKs (GO)